Modifying Information Presented by an Augmented Reality Device

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided to control information display at an augmented reality device. In the approach, a biometric value is received from a biometric input device. The biometric input device is a device that receives biometric data from a user of the augmented reality device. The received biometric value is compared to a number of previously established biometric input ranges that correspond to the user. Each of the biometric input ranges corresponds to a different display policy. The comparison identifies a selected display policy. The display detail of the augmented reality device is then automatically set according to the selected display policy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Augmented reality devices provide a user with a live, direct orindirect, view of a physical, real-world environment. The augmentedreality device provides the user with additional computer-generatedsensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Such devicesenhance the user's current perception of reality. Augmented realitydevices differ from virtual reality devices in that the virtual realitydevices replace, rather than supplement, the real world with a simulatedone. Augmented reality devices provide real-time data that iscontextually relevant with environmental elements. Thus, augmentedreality devices can use computer vision and object recognition toprovide the information about the surrounding real world of the user.Artificial information about the environment and its objects can beoverlaid on the real world using a visual heads-up-display (HUD) system.Augmented reality devices can display a lot of useful information to theuser via simple HUD headsets or virtual glass like terminals. However,due to advanced computing power, situations can arise where a user maybe overloaded with augmented reality data. For example a situation mayarise where a user is driving a car and is lost and unaware of hissurroundings. In a traditional environment, the driver might reduce theamount of outside information by lowering the radio volume, terminatinga telephone conversation, and exiting the road in order to get theirphysical bearings. In the same way someone wearing an augmented realitydevice can become overwhelmed during stressful situations while needingto concentrate on a specific task.

SUMMARY

An approach is provided to control information display at an augmentedreality device. In the approach, a biometric value is received from abiometric input device. The biometric input device is a device thatreceives biometric data from a user of the augmented reality device. Thereceived biometric value is compared to a number of previouslyestablished biometric input ranges that correspond to the user. Each ofthe biometric input ranges corresponds to a different display policy.The comparison identifies a selected display policy. The display detailof the augmented reality device is then automatically set according tothe selected display policy.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, asdefined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limitingdetailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in which themethods described herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling systemenvironment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods describedherein can be performed on a wide variety of information handlingsystems which operate in a networked environment;

FIG. 3 is a depiction of information at an augmented reality devicebeing reduced based on a user's configuration settings;

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used to establishbaseline biometric ranges used to control information displayed at theaugmented reality device;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used inconfiguring the information displayed at the augmented reality device inresponse to the user's biometric readings; and

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used in thebiometric-based augmented reality device to display additional data tothe user based on the user's current biometric readings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer, server, or cluster ofservers. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected tothe user's computer through any type of network, including a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may bemade to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using anInternet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 illustrates information handling system 100, which is asimplified example of a computer system capable of performing thecomputing operations performed by the augmented reality device describedherein. Information handling system 100 includes one or more processors110 coupled to processor interface bus 112. Processor interface bus 112connects processors 110 to Northbridge 115, which is also known as theMemory Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge 115 connects to system memory120 and provides a means for processor(s) 110 to access the systemmemory. Graphics controller 125 also connects to Northbridge 115. In oneembodiment, PCI Express bus 118 connects Northbridge 115 to graphicscontroller 125. Graphics controller 125 connects to display device 130,such as a heads-up-display (HUD) visible by a user of the augmentedreality device.

Northbridge 115 and Southbridge 135 connect to each other using bus 119.In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus thattransfers data at high speeds in each direction between Northbridge 115and Southbridge 135. In another embodiment, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus connects the Northbridge and the Southbridge.Southbridge 135, also known as the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chipthat generally implements capabilities that operate at slower speedsthan the capabilities provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge 135typically provides various busses used to connect various components.These busses include, for example, PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISAbus, a System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), and/or a Low Pin Count(LPC) bus. The LPC bus often connects low-bandwidth devices, such asboot ROM 196 and “legacy” I/O devices (using a “super I/O” chip). The“legacy” I/O devices (198) can include, for example, serial and parallelports, keyboard, mouse, and/or a floppy disk controller. LPC bus 192also connects Southbridge 135 to Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 195.Other components often included in Southbridge 135 include a DirectMemory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable Interrupt Controller(PIC), and a storage device controller, which connects Southbridge 135to nonvolatile storage device 185, such as a hard disk drive, using bus184.

ExpressCard 155 is a slot that connects hot-pluggable devices to theinformation handling system. ExpressCard 155 supports both PCI Expressand USB connectivity as it connects to Southbridge 135 using both theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI Express bus. Southbridge 135 includesUSB Controller 140 that provides USB connectivity to devices thatconnect to the USB. These devices include webcam (camera) 150, infrared(IR) receiver 148, keyboard and trackpad 144, and Bluetooth device 146,which provides for wireless personal area networks (PANs). USBController 140 also provides USB connectivity to other miscellaneous USBconnected devices 142, such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storagedevice 145, modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USBhubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While removablenonvolatile storage device 145 is shown as a USB-connected device,removable nonvolatile storage device 145 could be connected using adifferent interface, such as a Firewire interface, etcetera.

Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device 175 connects to Southbridge 135via the PCI or PCI Express bus 172. LAN device 175 typically implementsone of the IEEE .802.11 standards of over-the-air modulation techniquesthat all use the same protocol to wireless communicate betweeninformation handling system 100 and another computer system or device.Optical storage device 190 connects to Southbridge 135 using Serial ATA(SATA) bus 188. Serial ATA adapters and devices communicate over ahigh-speed serial link. The Serial ATA bus also connects Southbridge 135to other forms of storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audiocircuitry 160, such as a sound card, connects to Southbridge 135 via bus158. Audio circuitry 160 also provides functionality such as audioline-in and optical digital audio in port 162, optical digital outputand headphone jack 164, internal speakers 166, and internal microphone168. Ethernet controller 170 connects to Southbridge 135 using a bus,such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet controller 170 connectsinformation handling system 100 to a computer network, such as a LocalArea Network (LAN), the Internet, and other public and private computernetworks.

While FIG. 1 shows one information handling system, an informationhandling system may take many forms. For example, an informationhandling system may take the form of a desktop, server, portable,laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data processingsystem. In addition, an information handling system may take other formfactors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, ATMmachine, a portable telephone device, a communication device or otherdevices that include a processor and memory.

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM 195) shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein to provide security functions is but one example of a hardwaresecurity module (HSM). Therefore, the TPM described and claimed hereinincludes any type of HSM including, but not limited to, hardwaresecurity devices that conform to the Trusted Computing Groups (TCG)standard, and entitled “Trusted Platform Module (TPM) SpecificationVersion 1.2.” The TPM is a hardware security subsystem that may beincorporated into any number of information handling systems, such asthose outlined in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling systemenvironment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods describedherein can be performed on a wide variety of information handlingsystems that operate in a networked environment. Types of informationhandling systems range from small handheld devices, such as handheldcomputer/mobile telephone 210 to large mainframe systems, such asmainframe computer 270. Examples of handheld computer 210 includepersonal digital assistants (PDAs), personal entertainment devices, suchas MP3 players, portable televisions, and compact disc players. Otherexamples of information handling systems include pen, or tablet,computer 220, laptop, or notebook, computer 230, workstation 240,personal computer system 250, and server 260. Other types of informationhandling systems that are not individually shown in FIG. 2 arerepresented by information handling system 280. As shown, the variousinformation handling systems can be networked together using computernetwork 200. Types of computer network that can be used to interconnectthe various information handling systems include Local Area Networks(LANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and anyother network topology that can be used to interconnect the informationhandling systems. Many of the information handling systems includenonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or nonvolatile memory.Some of the information handling systems shown in FIG. 2 depictsseparate nonvolatile data stores (server 260 utilizes nonvolatile datastore 265, mainframe computer 270 utilizes nonvolatile data store 275,and information handling system 280 utilizes nonvolatile data store285). The nonvolatile data store can be a component that is external tothe various information handling systems or can be internal to one ofthe information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatilestorage device 145 can be shared among two or more information handlingsystems using various techniques, such as connecting the removablenonvolatile storage device 145 to a USB port or other connector of theinformation handling systems.

FIGS. 3-6 depict an approach that can be executed on an informationhandling system and computer network as shown in FIGS. 1-2. A system andmethod that controls the information displayed at an augmented realitydevice, such as in a heads-up-display (HUD) is described. In thisapproach, a user uses an augmented reality device that displaysinformation related to the user's current environment or surroundings,such as information pertaining to local businesses. Biometric inputdevices, such as a heart beat rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, aperspiration monitor, a brain wave monitor, and a muscle tension monitorcollect biometric data from the user with the biometric data beingreceived as biometric values. Prior to utilizing the augmented realitydevice, the user configures biometric input ranges, such as the user's“normal” biometric range and other ranges. A normal biometric rangewould be where the user's heart rate and/or other biometric inputsindicate that the user is functioning normally without stresses, etc.that would elevate or change the biometric input values. Displaypolicies are configured based on the user's preferences and thebiometric input range detected from the user. For example, if the user'sbiometric data indicates that the user is experiencing a normalbiometric function (heart rate, etc.), then the augmented reality devicemight display ample information about businesses that appear within theuser's field of vision. This ample information might include thebusiness name, address, telephone number, review information, and thelike. However, if the biometric input device detects that the user isstressed (e.g., elevated heart rate, etc.), then the augmented realitydevice might use a display policy where less information is displayedabout the nearby businesses, such as just the name and telephone number.Consequently, the reduced amount of information might be betterprocessed by the user when in a stressful situation. In a furtherembodiment, the approach can identify an alternate service that might beuseful to the user based on the user's biometric input readings anddisplay information about the availability of such services. Forexample, if the user is experiencing a high-level of stress and abiometric input device detects a high level of muscle tension, theaugmented reality device could display information regarding nearbymassage therapists that might be available to aid the user and providestress-relief therapy. The approach discussed above is further describedin FIGS. 3-6 and accompanying detailed descriptions, discussed below.These figures and related descriptions provide further details relatedto one or more embodiments that utilize various data sources to controlthe information displayed to the user by an augmented reality device.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of information at an augmented reality devicebeing reduced based on a user's configuration settings. View 300 depictsthe augmented reality device display (e.g., a heads-up-display (HUD)that appears to the user, etc.) when the biometric input devices detectthat the user's biometric readings (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure,etc.) are at previously established “normal” levels. As shown, ampleinformation is displayed that corresponds to businesses currently beingviewed by the user. In the example, the information displayed includesthe business name as well as metadata about the business such as whenthe business was established, specific address of the business,telephone number of the business, and other metadata such as the rating,or reputation, of a business as well as current sales information thatmay be of interest to the user.

Conversely, view 310 depicts the augmented reality device display whenthe biometric input devices detect that the user's biometric readingsare at previously established “increased” levels that indicate that theuser is experiencing stress (e.g., increased heart rate, increased bloodpressure, etc.). In view 310, a reduced amount of information isdisplayed to the user so that the user will be less likely to experience“information overload” and will be able to adequately process thedisplayed information. Here, only the business name and address aredisplayed on the augmented reality device. The reduced amount ofinformation may allow the user to better process the informationdisplayed by the augmented reality device and assist the user in makingdecisions or analyzing the user's current situation. When the biometricinput devices indicate that the user's stress level has returned to anormal level, then the increased information shown in view 300 would bedisplayed to the user on the augmented reality device display.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used to establishbaseline biometric ranges used to control information displayed at theaugmented reality device. Processing performed to establish baselinebiometric ranges commences at 400 whereupon, at step 410, the processreceives the user's physical attributes at an input device, such as akeyboard. The user's physical attributes would include attributes suchas the user's age, gender, weight, and general physical condition (e.g.,extremely athletic, athletic, moderately athletic, sedentary, etc.). Atstep 415, the process selects biometric input device from data store420. Biometric input devices that can be used to monitor the user'sbiometric data include devices such as a heart rate monitor, a bloodpressure monitor, a muscle tension monitor, a perspiration monitor, abrain wave monitor etc. At step 425, the process collects a currentreading using selected biometric input device with the current readingreturning a biometric value from the biometric input device that ismonitoring user 430. At step 435, the process displays the currentreading and prompts the user as to whether the current reading appearsto reflect a “normal” baseline reading of the user. In one embodiment,the user is asked to establish the baseline biometric ranges when theuser is in a normal setting and is not experiencing elevated biometricreadings that would indicate a stressful situation.

A decision is made as to whether the user is in a normal setting or ifthe current readings of the biometric input device appear to represent anormal reading for the user (decision 440). If the current readings donot appear to represent a normal reading for the user, then decision 440branches to the “no” branch whereupon, at step 450, the user is promptedas to what a “normal” reading for the selected biometric input deviceshould be for the user. For example, if the user's normal pulse is 75but the heart rate monitor indicates that the user's current pulse is90, then the user can enter “75” to indicate that a normal biometricvalue from the heart rate monitor would be 75 beats per minute. On theother hand, if the current readings from the selected biometric inputdevice reflect a normal reading for the user, then the user indicatesthat the reading is an accurate reflection of the user's normal readingand decision 440 branches to the “yes” branch bypassing step 450.

A decision is made as to whether the user wishes to use default sets ofbiometric input ranges or would like to enter the sets of biometricinput ranges (decision 455). If default ranges are being used, thendecision 455 branches to the “yes” branch whereupon, at step 460, theprocess establishes a set of biometric input ranges for the selectedbiometric input device based as percentages of the user's normal readingfor the selected biometric input device. For example, a ten percentdeviation from the normal biometric value could be established for thenormal range, with a range established above the normal range as beingstressed, and a range established below the normal range as being tiredor lethargic. On the other hand, if the user wishes to manuallyestablish the sets of biometric input ranges, then decision 455 branchesto the “no” branch whereupon, at step 465, the process receives a seriesof biometric input ranges from the user (e.g., from a keyboard or keypaddevice, etc.).

At step 470, the sets of biometric input ranges that have beenestablished are stored in data store 480. A decision is made as towhether there are additional biometric input devices used by theaugmented reality device for which biometric ranges need to beestablished (decision 490). If there are more biometric input devices,then decision 490 branches to the “yes” branch which loops back toselect the next biometric input device and establish the “normal” rangeand other ranges which are stored in data store 480. This loopingcontinues until all of the biometric input devices utilized by theaugmented reality device have been processed, at which point decision490 branches to the “no” branch and processing to establish baselinebiometric ranges used to control information displayed at the augmentedreality device ends at 495.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used inconfiguring the information displayed at the augmented reality device inresponse to the user's biometric readings. Processing used to configurethe information that is displayed to the user of the augmented realitydevice commences at 500 whereupon, at step 510, the user selects one ofthe configured biometric input devices from data store 420 using userinterface 520, such as a graphic user interface (GUI). Biometric inputdevices can includes devices such as a heart rate monitor, a bloodpressure monitor, a muscle tension monitor, a perspiration monitor, abrain wave monitor etc. At step 525, the user selects an establishedbiometric input range from the set of previously established biometricinput ranges (see FIG. 4) from data store 480 utilizing user interface520. For example, the user might select a heart rate monitor device andthe “normal” range.

A decision is made as to whether the user wishes to combine the selectedbiometric input device readings with the readings from another biometricinput device (decision 530). For example, the user may wish to configurea display policy for when the user's heart rate is in the “normal”category, but the perspiration monitor is in a “heavy” or “stressed”category that might indicate that the user is becoming over-heated withthe display policy configured to display information that might be moreuseful to providing the user with relief from an over-heated state, suchas information about air conditioned restaurants that might offer theuser a comfortable place to hydrate and achieve a lower bodytemperature. If the user is establishing a display policy that utilizesmore than one biometric input device, then decision 530 branches to the“yes” branch whereupon, at step 540, the user selects an additionalbiometric input device from data store 420 using user interface 520. Atstep 550, the user selects a pre-established range to use for theadditional biometric input (e.g., “stressed,” “over-heated,” etc.). Atstep 560, the user provides a logical Boolean connection to use with thetwo selected biometric input devices and input ranges (e.g., “AND”,“OR”, etc.). Using the example above, the user could specify that thedisplay policy should be used when the user's heart rate is in a“normal” range AND the perspiration level is in a “high” or otherelevated range. Likewise, the user could establish a display policy thatis used when the user's heart rate is in a “normal” range “OR” theperspiration level is in a “high” range. Returning to decision 530, ifreadings from the selected biometric input device are not being used inconjunction with readings from another biometric input, then decision530 branches to the “no” branch bypassing steps 540 through 560.

At step 570, the user utilizes user interface 520 and selects the detailthat will be displayed by the augmented reality device for the displaypolicy that is being configured. For example, the user could select toview minimal data (e.g., business names and addresses only, etc.) whenconfiguring a display policy to use when the user is stressed, and mightconfigure a display policy that displays more detail when the user'sbiometric values indicate that the user is in a “normal” range.

At step 575, the user can select optional services identifying analternate personal service pertaining to the user based on the receivedbiometric value. For example, if a muscle tension monitoring deviceindicates that the user's muscles are tense, the augmented realitydevice could be set to display locations of nearby massage therapiststhat could be contacted to address the user' tense muscle condition.

At step 578, the process saves the configured display policy along withany optional personal services to be displayed along with biometricinput(s) and ranges and any logical connections if multiple biometricinputs used. The data is stored in data store 580. For example, thedisplay policy might be to display “Detail HIGH=pulse HIGH AND by HIGH”,to provide high level of detail when both the pulse level is high andthe user's blood pressure is high.

A decision is made as to whether the user wishes to configure additionaldisplay policies (decision 590). If the user wishes to configureadditional display policies, then decision 590 branches to the “yes”branch which loops back to select the next set of biometric inputdevice(s), range(s) and display detail to use for the next displaypolicy. This looping continues until the user has configured all desireddisplay policies, at which point decision 590 branches to the “no”branch whereupon processing used to configure the information that isdisplayed to the user of the augmented reality device ends at 595.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a flowchart showing the logic used in thebiometric-based augmented reality device to display additional data tothe user based on the user's current biometric readings. Processingperformed when the user is using the augmented reality device commencesat 600 whereupon, at step 610, the process selects the first biometricinput device from data store 420. At step 620, the process receives thebiometric input value from the selected biometric input device that iscurrently monitoring user 430. At step 625, the user's current biometricinput value is compared with the previously established sets ofbiometric input ranges to identify the biometric input range currentlybeing experienced by the user (e.g., “high,” “normal,” “low,”“stressed,” etc.). The previously established sets of biometric inputranges are retrieved from data store 480. At step 630, the user'scurrent biometric input range as identified in step 625 for the selectedbiometric input device is stored in memory area 640.

A decision is made as to whether there are additional biometric inputdevices from which biometric input values and ranges should be retrieved(decision 640). If there are more biometric input devices to process,then decision 650 branches to the “yes” branch which loops back toselect the next biometric input device and identify the biometric inputrange currently being experienced by the user as described above withthe data being added to memory area 640. This looping continues untilall of the biometric input devices have been processed, at which pointdecision 650 branches to the “no” branch for further processing.

At step 660, the first display policy is selected from configurationdata store 580. The display policies were previously configured by theuser as shown in FIG. 5. At step 670, the selected biometric inputranges corresponding to the selected display policy are compared withthe current biometric input ranges being experienced by the user andstored in memory area 640. A decision is made as to whether the selecteddisplay policy matches the user's current biometric input ranges(decision 675). If the selected display policy matches the user'scurrent biometric input ranges, then decision 675 branches to the “yes”branch whereupon, at step 680, a display detail is automatically set inthe augmented reality device according to the selected display policy.In addition, information regarding any optional personal services thatcorrespond with the display policy are also set so that, for example,the user might be directed to a personal service, such as a massagetherapist, in response to a biometric input (e.g., high muscle tension,etc.), matching a personal service configuration previously set by theuser. As shown, the display (e.g., HUD 695) of the user's augmentedreality device is set to display the display level according to theselected display policy.

Returning to decision 675, if the selected display policy does not matchthe user's current biometric input ranges, then decision 675 branches tothe “no” branch whereupon a decision is made as to whether there areadditional display policies that have been configured that need to beevaluated as described above (decision 685). If there are additionaldisplay policies to evaluate, then decision 685 branches to the “yes”branch which loops back to select and evaluate the next display policyas described above. This looping continues until either a match is found(with decision 675 branching to the “yes” branch) or until all of thedisplay policies have been evaluated without finding a match, at whichpoint decision 685 branches to the “no” branch whereupon, at step 690,the display detail is automatically set to a default display policy inthe augmented reality device according to the default settings. Theprocessing shown in FIG. 6 would be repeated periodically (e.g., everyminute, etc.) so that the display policy utilized by the augmentedreality device can be changed when user's biometric values change,indicating that the user is exhibiting a different set of biometricinputs.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may bemade without departing from this invention and its broader aspects.Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitlyrecited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no suchlimitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimelements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element,even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more”or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the sameholds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, performed by an information handlingsystem comprising a processor and a memory, of controlling informationdisplay at an augmented reality device, the method comprising: receivinga biometric value from a biometric input device receiving biometric datafrom a user of the augmented reality device; comparing the biometricvalue to a plurality of previously established biometric input rangescorresponding to the user, wherein each of the biometric input rangescorresponds to one of a plurality of display policies, and wherein thecomparison results in a selected display policy; and automaticallysetting a display detail of the augmented reality device according tothe selected display policy.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: configuring, by the user, the plurality of establishedbiometric input ranges and the plurality of display policies prior tothe reception of the biometric value.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereineach of the biometric input ranges has an upper biometric value and alower biometric value, and wherein the method further comprises:selecting one of the biometric input ranges as a normal input range forthe user.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric input device isselected from a group consisting of a heart beat rate monitor, a bloodpressure monitor, a perspiration monitor, a brain wave monitor, and amuscle tension monitor.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometricinput device includes a plurality of biometric input devices thatreceive a plurality of biometric values, one of the biometric valuesbeing the biometric value, and wherein the comparing further comprises:identifying the selected display policy by comparing the plurality ofbiometric values with a plurality of previously established sets ofbiometric input ranges, wherein each of the sets of biometric inputranges are logically associated with a Boolean connector.
 6. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: identifying an alternate personal servicepertaining to the user based on the received biometric value; retrievinginformation pertaining to one or more proximate service providers thatprovide the identified alternate personal service; and displaying theretrieved information to the user via the augmented reality device. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein each of the display policies aredifferentiated from the other display policies based one or more factorsselected from a group consisting of an amount of information displayedand a type of information displayed.